Expressing My Thoughts
I thought it’d be fun to list how I go about “expressing” myself these days. I’ve seen lots of bloggers talk about why they blog, and I wanted to give it a go, or at least my flavor of it. Here are ways I express my thoughts and the forums I do it through.
First, I have always journaled. I had a diary when I was little, including a cute blush-colored diary with a little latch lock and tiny key. I wish I still had it. I have no idea what happened to it. After that, I kept paper journals for years, and then moved to Day One and finally landed on Apple’s Journal (since I live in Apple’s ecosystem full-time with my tech). Journal entries are personal. They are often deep-felt thoughts that I might not want to share with others but I want to record. I don’t go back and read my journal that often; however, I think the act of writing it down helps me process emotions and situations. Most of my writing, including my poetry and fiction, are ways I process my life. It’s not just a story I’m telling, but something more holistic.
Second, sometimes I want to post something that’s not long form, maybe a shout-out to a friend or about something I like. I usually use BlueSky for that. Now, I do have my Micro.blog entries cross-posted to BlueSky, so this is another way I use BlueSky.
Third, for fun, life, transition-related, reading or things like that, I use Micro.blog. I love Micro.blog. It allows me to be short-winded, long-winded, image-heavy, or just plain old text. I love the customization options for my blog and just the ease of use whether I’m on my iPhone or my Mac. It’s a great service and I keep my fingers crossed it keeps on truckin’! Shout out to Manton!
Fourth, Coupled with Micro.blog is their book tracking (also movies & TV) feature. I use their Epilogue app (or the web interface) to keep track of books I’m reading or have read. I love that it can autopost updates to my blog, or I can write a full entry myself about a book I’m reading or have finished. I also use the Book Tracker app (iOS/macOS) to track all of my reading and like Apple Journal, I sometimes keep my reviews or thoughts on a book private.
Finally, I self-publish some of my writing. I published my first collection of poetry, Becoming, earlier this year. I’m almost finished editing the follow-up to that, which I’m calling Being. I have a few other projects that are in the queue once I get this new collection published.
I hope this was interesting and maybe gives people a few ideas to try on their own.
Finished reading: There’s No Turning Back by Alba De Céspedes 📚
A lovely read. I felt curious and invested in each of the young women’s journeys to self, life, and each other. Even the interplay and inner thoughts of the sisters who run the Grimaldi, where the woman live while studying and preparing for exams and defenses of theses.
I loved looking at the background of each character, how they felt about where they came from, blending nostalgia, tradition, and a hope of something better than simply being transferred as property from their father to their husband. It is amazing that this was written in 1938 and depressing that it still resonates in today’s world.
As for the art, the prose flows smoothly. Both a compliment to the writing and to the fluid translation. Three cheers for Alba de Céspedes and another three for her translator, Ann Goldstein.
Highly recommend.
Watched: Penny Lane Is Dead 🍿 Wow! Second time watching, amazing.
Watched: Bride of Chucky 🍿 I needed this flick tonight. Perfect horror mixed with twisted humor.
Watched: Land of the Dead 🍿
Not quite up to the quality of the original trilogy but still a good watch.
Absolutely fab night with friends old & new tonight. It’s amazing how powerful simple acceptance can be. Doesn’t cost anyone anything but it was like I won all the lotteries all at once. 🩷
Every now and then I come across an article that just adds some joy. Pure geeky, scientific joy. With all that is going on in the world today, it’s nice to have a moment’s respite with something like this.
Leap seconds have helped keep clocks synchronized with Earth’s rotation, but their time may be over – here’s why. (from The Conversation)
Todays’s xkcd rocks! A little bit of old school mixed in with new stuff. Laughed out loud at WKRP.
Finished reading: Trash by Sylvia Aguilar-Zéleny 📚
A fantastic novel with three interesting stories that worked perfectly. The author nailed the landing. So beautiful and powerful.
Many thanks to Laurel for the recommendation!